Jackline is a 54-year-old farmer who is a mother of six. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 2020. He left her a small permanent house for shelter. Her first born is 30 years old and a nursery school teacher. She shared that her last born is 13 years old but does not attend school as her youngest has special needs and is nonverbal. Jackline supports her family through small-scale farming. A year ago, Jackline began experiencing lower abdominal pains. She has since been diagnosed with endometritis and endometrial hyperplasia, both conditions caused by a thickening or inflammation of the uterus lining. To relieve her pain and prevent further health complications caused by these conditions, Jackline needs to undergo a hysterectomy, which is a procedure where surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Jackline's surgery. On July 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Jackline will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Jackline says, “I believe I can live a normal and better life once again through surgery. I hope to return to farming very soon.”

Abegaelle is a five-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives in the capital city of Port-au-Prince with her parents and older brother. Some of her favorite activities include going to preschool and attending church with her family. Abegaelle was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. As a result, blood leaks through, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Abegaelle receive treatment. She will travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo surgery on July 26th, during which surgeons will insert a catheter to plug the hole in her heart and restore a healthy blood flow. Abegaelle's family is raising $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA's social workers to accompany Abegaelle and her family overseas. Abegaelle's mother shared, "Our family is all very thankful that Abegaelle will have this chance to have her heart fixed!"

Federesi is a 70-year old Ugandan woman who enjoys making and selling mats. She is a mother of 10 children and lost her husband in 1996, leaving her as their sole provider. Federesi works hard to provide for her family and lives in a modest 2-roomed mud-built house. For about six months, Federesi has been experiencing lower abdominal pains and was diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain. She needs to undergo a total hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Due to the condition, Federesi is no longer able to sustain lengthy sitting and has been forced to stop making mats and farming. She was scheduled for surgery at our partner's medical care center, Rushoroza Hospital, but was not able to raise the funds needed and needs assistance. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Federesi's surgery. On February 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Federesi will be able to resume her daily activities, free of pain. Federesi says, “I hope to get relief through surgery to be able to live a normal life once again. I'm hoping to resume farming soon.”

Him is a 71-year-old clay potter from Cambodia. He has two sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. He lives with his youngest daughter and his wife who is also a potter. They take their pots to the market to sell to support their family. In his free time, Him likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. Five months ago, Him developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and sometimes tearing. It is hard for him to make pots or travel to the market. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Him learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for an hour and a half with his wife seeking treatment. On March 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Him shared, "I hope after surgery I can see clearly so I can make more pots, go to the market to sell my products, and support my living well."

Jane is an elderly woman from Kenya who lives near Watsi's medical partner care center. Unfortunately, she was assaulted in November 2019 by a group of men and she suffered deep cuts on her left hand. She was brought to our facility and the wound was dressed. However, upon review and x-ray imaging, she was diagnosed with a radius fracture. She requires treatment to correct the fracture. Currently, Jane is not able to do anything in her house and she relies on her children. Jane is a widow who used to rely on her small farm to make ends meet. Her three children live away with their families and are not able to raise the full amount needed for their mother's surgery. Jane appeals for help. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 20th, Jane will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will help her hand heal with ease and correct the fractured bone. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this procedure. Jane says, “My prayer is to have the surgery and resume my daily duties.”

Jane works as a house help in western Kenya and has struggled with her hearing for the past 5 years. The hearing loss started when she had Quinine medication administered. The gradual hearing loss has affected her social lifestyle and most of the time she misses out on conversations. Jane has not been to any hospital previously. She was referred to our facility where an audiometry test was done and hearing loss diagnosis made. Her small income of $30 per month is all she earns to care for her late sister’s children. Jane requires $929 for the hearing aids. She appeals for financial assistance. Jane says, “My hope is to be able to socially converse with people without having to ask them to repeat what they said."

Margaret is a trained tailor from Kenya. She is a shy single 30-year-old from Gakoe Kiambu. Margaret completed her tailoring course recently and is yet to get into employment. She lives with her mother who is a peasant farmer.  For about 10 years Margaret has struggled with headache, palpitations, sometimes sweating and later swelling of the neck. These problems have made it difficult for Margaret to socialize with family and friends. She had been visiting different health centres with no change until she came to Nazareth and a diagnosis of multinodular goitre was made through ultrasound. She has been under hormones control and now is ready for a thyroidectomy. Due to her low socioeconomic status, the family is not in a position to meet the cost and requests support. If not treated Margaret will continue experiencing social misfit and the thyroid gland will continue to grow. She is also likely to suffer from complications like thyrotoxicosis. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Margaret receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 23rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $625, and she and her family need help raising money. “I have stayed for many years with this problem yet I have no means for treatment. I plead for help so that I can be well again to live my normal life,” said Margaret.

Mya is a 15-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her mother, sister and great-grandmother in Chaung Thaung Village, Kawkareik Twoship, Karen State. Mya has been diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. She has been advised to undergo an oophorectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her ovaries. Fortunately, Mya is scheduled to undergo her oophorectomy on March 22. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $913 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Mya said, “I would like to study nature and animals in the future. I like reading different kinds of books, watching movies and am also interested in sewing clothes. I sometimes help my mother sell mohinga when I have free time.”

Ean is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, she likes to watch Khmer TV dramas. Three years ago, Ean developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurred vision, burning, irritation, and itchiness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Ean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. Ean needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 11. She says, "I hope that after my eye surgery I will feel much better and be able to continue my work at the farm field. I also hope that I can easily walk or go anywhere outside independently."

Korukiiko is a small-scale famer from Uganda. She is married with eight children. For 18 years, Korukiiko has been experiencing severe lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Korukiiko's surgery. On October 16, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Korukiiko will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Korukiiko says, “I will be glad when I am treated this problem to enable me have peace of mind after surgery.”

Youbendjy is a four-month-old baby who lives in a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince with his mother, father, and older sister. Neither parent is employed full-time, but both of them work as day laborers when they can. Youbendjy was born with a cardiac condition called total anomalous pulmonary vein return, in which the pulmonary veins connect to the right atrium of the heart. Typically, these veins should connect to the left atrium. This condition deprives his body of oxygen and leads to heart failure. Youbendjy will undergo a surgery in which the veins are disconnected from the heart and reconnected in the appropriate location. First, he will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 9. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Youbendjy also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and his family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Youbendjy's surgical care. "I thought from the time my baby was born that we would lose him," says his mother. "It is like a dream for me that we have a chance for surgery."

Polette is a 58-year-old woman from Haiti. She has a daughter and two sons. They live together, along with Polette's mother and brother. Polette works as a street merchant to support her family. In November of 2015, Polette noticed a small mass in one of her breasts. Polette visited the doctor and was diagnosed with breast cancer. In August of 2016, Polette began chemotherapy treatment at St. Luc Family Hospital, our medical partner's care center. To ensure the cancer is completely gone, Polette has decided to undergo mastectomy surgery. Polette will undergo surgery on March 17 at St. Luc Family Hospital. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is asking for $1,085 to cover the cost of her surgery, medication, and labs. After her operation, Polette is looking forward to going back to work and helping her children pursue their academic endeavors.